Nickel Inconel 601 is a member of the austenitic nickel-chromium based super alloys. It is used for applications that require extremely high resistance to heat, and very high resistance to oxidation and corrosion at higher temperatures. It has excellent mechanical properties and is easily workable with standard procedures.

Due to its plethora of positive properties, it finds use in harsh environments in different industry applications, especially in places where it is repeatedly exposed to a wide temperature range and in the presence of corrosives, such as acids.

The Composition (%) of Nickel Inconel 601

Fabrication and Working Instructions

The Inconel 601 alloy can be formed, machined and welded by standard procedures. That said, it is strongly recommended to clean it from oil or paint before heating, as with every other alloy with high nickel content.

A low-sulfur atmosphere is also a must, and also fuels which are very low in sulfur. Even though it is resistant to oxidation, Inconel 601 should be heated in furnaces with a slightly reducing atmosphere.

Strengthening with heat treatment doesn’t work on this alloy. Instead, use of cold work and an annealing treatment is recommended for achieving different ranges of strength and hardness. The Inconel 601 alloy is annealed at 2100°F (1149°C) and then cooled rapidly through the 1000 to 1400°F (540 to 760°C) temperature range to prevent thermal cracking.

Rapid cooling also has no effect on the mechanical properties of Inconel 601, but rapid cooling is still recommended for pickled material in order to avoid sensitization.

Pickling, on the other hand, must be used to produce bright surfaces on parts that have been previously heated, due to the aluminum and chromium content of the Inconel 601 alloy.

Mechanical and Physical Properties of Nickel Inconel 601

Nickel Inconel 601 has good mechanical strength, but its mechanical property changes depending on the form of the material. According to the manufacturer, the optimal temperature for this alloy is 1004°F (540°C) and above for solution-treated condition, and 1004°F (540°C) and below for annealed condition. Being used primarily in high-temperature applications, the Inconel Alloy 601 can retain its high tensile properties at higher temperatures, and it is not embrittled by extended exposure.

Mechanical Properties

Imperial

Metric

Tensile strength (solution annealed, room temperature)

110000 psi

760 MPa

Yield strength (solution annealed, room temperature)

65300 psi

450 MPa

Elongation at break

42%

42%

Finally, the physical properties of Inconel 601 can be summarized in the following:

Other Aspects and Advantages

The nickel alloy has a high degree of metallurgical stability, and it has a complete absence of embrittling intermetallic phases thanks to its internal microstructure.

The high content of nickel and chromium make the Inconel 601 alloy extremely resistant to high-temperature corrosion mechanisms, with resistance to oxidation of up to 2200°F (1200°C).

Unique among similar alloys, it also has resistance to oxide spalling under cyclic thermal conditions. It forms a protective oxide coating that resists scaling even after repeated exposure to temperature. This property of the alloy is linked to the high amounts of nickel and chromium, and also the presence of aluminum, all of which form an extremely protective oxide film on the material.

Nickel Inconel 601 alloy has good resistance to carburization and carbonitriding environments.